Zappala gets enough Republican write-in votes to become eligible for GOP nomination

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. lost his Democratic primary race last week, but the county’s Election Return Board said he received nearly 9,700 write-in votes from Republicans — making him eligible for the GOP nomination if he wants it.

Zappala, a longtime Democrat, was defeated in the Democratic primary for district attorney by Chief Public Defender Matt Dugan.

The Election Return Board reported Tuesday that Zappala received 9,697 Republican write-in votes to Dugan’s 636. Candidates in countywide races such as district attorney need to receive at least 500 valid write-in votes to secure a nomination.

That means Zappala will be placed on this fall’s general election ballot as a Republican if he accepts the party’s nomination.

The Zappala campaign didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

Zappala strongly hinted at accepting the GOP nomination when he conceded the Democratic race on election night. Dugan collected 55.6% of the Democratic votes cast compared with Zappala’s 44.3%, according to the county.

At an event in the South Side, Zappala acknowledged the GOP write-in support and said he would welcome another run in the fall, saying, “If we stick around to November, we’re going to kick some ass and take some names.”

The Dugan campaign said Zappala has a history of courting Republican voters.

“Mr. Zappala announced his campaign by saying he had more Republican than Democrat friends, so we aren’t surprised that he’s their choice to run in November,” the Dugan campaign said in a statement. “We look forward to beating him again in the fall.”

Others who had successful GOP write-in campaigns included Bob Howard, who received 10,097 write-in votes for Allegheny County controller, and Herb Ohlinger, who received 10,366 write-in votes for Allegheny County treasurer.

If they accept the GOP nominations, Howard would face Democratic Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor and Ohlinger would face Democratic Allegheny County Treasurer nominee Erica Rocchi Brusselars in November.

Democrats hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans in Allegheny County.